Other Languages in Thomas and Friends

Contents

Welsh

In Wales, the series is called "Tomos a'i Ffrindiau" and is narrated by John Ogwen. It is often broadcast on S4C's "Planed Plant Bach".

Character Names

Thomas - Tomos

James - Iago

Duck - Hwyaden

Donald and Douglas - Donald a Douglas

Bill and Ben - Bill a Ben

Arry and Bert - Arry a Bert

Salty - Hallt

Annie and Clarabel - Annie a Clarabel

Max and Monty - Max a Monty

Captain - Capten

Japanese

In Japan, the series is translated as "きかんしゃトーマス" (Romaji: "Kikansha Tōmasu"). Thomas is popular in Japan due to the popularity of railways in Japan. This version of the show also has individual voice actors and sounds more like an anime series than an animated book. It airs on Cartoon Network.

Trivia

Sir Topham Hatt is called "Kontrollsjefen", which means "The Control Chief". Although, in the Classic Series, he was often called "Herr Flossenhatt" which means "Sir Topham Hatt". In the eighth season episode Thomas and the Firework Display, he was called "Den Tjukke Kontrolløren" which means "The Fat Controller".

Mr. Percival is often called "Jernbanesjefen" which means "The Railway Chief". He is sometimes called "Smalsporsjefen", which means "The Narrow Gauge Chief".

'Arry is called "Harry".

The opening titles in the Classic Series showed the UK narrators and not the Norwegian narrator.

Duck is called "And".

In Hero of the Rails, Gordon's catchphrase is "Oh, so indignified!", but since the thirteenth season, it is "Oh, how nefarious!".

Since the thirteenth season, Tidmouth Sheds is referred to as "Tidmouth Stasjon", which means "Tidmouth Station".

In Trine Lossius Borg's narration Duke is called the Norwegian word for Duke, "Hertugen".

Since the eleventh season, the title card is in Norwegian and since the thirteenth season, Engine Rollcall is in Norwegian.

Bash and Dash are called "Krutt" and "Futt".

Mr. Bubbles is called "Herr Boblemann", which means "Mr. Bubbleman".

When the Fat Controller's name is used, they do not say "Bertram", they say "Topham".

Kuffy the Clown is called "Klovnen Krølle", which means "Curly the Clown".

Captain is called "Skipper".

Whiff is called "Piff", which is a Norwegian word for the chuffing sound that steam engines make.

German

In Germany the series is known as "Thomas, die kleine Lokomotive" (Thomas the Small Locomotive) or "Thomas und Seine Freunde" (Thomas and His Friends). If Thomas' English name were translated into German, it would be "Thomas der Zisterne-Motor". In the German television series the Fat Controller is called "Der dicke Kontrolleur", but this means "The Fat Conductor".

Character Names

Whiff - Mief

Mighty Mac - Big Mac

The Fat Controller - Der dicke Kontrolleur

Finnish

In Finland, the series is known as "Tuomas Veturi" and is narrated by Aku Laitinen.

Character Names

Thomas - Tuomas

Edward - Edvard

Henry - Henri

Gordon - Jori

James - Jaska

Percy - Pekka

Toby - Topi

Duck - Ankka

Emily - Emilia

Rusty - Risto

Bulgy - Jurottaja

Toad - Tomi

French

In French, the series is known as "Thomas et ses Amis" or "Thomas le Petit Train" (Thomas the Small Train). The first five seasons were narrated by Gérard Boucaron, and all seasons beyond included both a narrator and voice actors. Since the sixth season, Blanche Ravalec has narrated the series.

Italian

In Italy, the series is known as "Il Trenino Thomas" and is currently narrated by Giorgio Locuratolo. The series airs on JimJamTV.

Dutch

In the Netherlands, the series is known as "Thomas de Stoomlocomotief".

Hungarian

In Hungary the series is known as "Thomas a Gözmozdony" which means "Thomas the Steam Engine". It is also known as "Thomas és Baratai" which means "Thomas and Friends." It was first broadcasted on Minimax in 2006. It was later broadcasted on M1 and recently on JimJamTV. It is narrated by Zoltán Csankó.